Fieldcraft uses for a knife?

three_grams · May 1, 2002

I finally got my fieldcraft knife and I would like to know what typical fieldcraft tasks one can accomplish with a generic knife with a 6.25", 3/16" blade. Mine is a Firestrike FS46 as I mentioned.

I already have a Gerber Axe with a 16" handle, an E-tool and possibly a Bench made folder with a 4" blade (but I am not sure if I will carry the latter, I feel more comfortable with the fixed blade).

AJ · May 1, 2002

three_grams,

Many things are possible with a good fixed blade field knife. Your can:

prepare fire starter sticks (fuzz sticks)
notch poles for a shelter
cut rope for shelter tie downs
prepare food
process game you have taken (birds, mammels, fish)
whittle
etc.

Almost anything is possible with the appropriate thinking and the right tools. My personal "carry everywhere in the woods" hunting and camping campion knife is a Bob Dozier Yukon Pro Skinner. Blade is around 3.5" and is perfect for any task I can imagine using a knife for (axes are for chopping and pry bars for prying).

AJ

three_grams · May 1, 2002

Okay, thank you.

Henri · May 2, 2002

Random thoughts of stuff I've used mine for.

When I go fishing I try to get natural bait from the local area that consists of looking under bark on the ground or still on the trees ( mainly eucalypt gums that shed massive amounts of bark.

Problem is some of it takes a bit the get of. Easy to do with bare hands but there is also other nasties hiding ( spiders mainly ) so i prefer a knife to do it. Same applys to lifting stuff up. Use the knife.

Also use mine for digging up rocks under tent sites.

Striking magnesium firestarter ( usually use piece of hacksaw blade )

Throwing into old logs for fun

Killing fish when caught ( as opposed to cleaning )

collecting samples of funny/interesting plants to show others.

clearing paths through reeds ( multiple trips required for fire wood ) while we were on a houseboat.

Sharpen stake for tent peg replacement.

cracking nuts ( using back of knife...BKT Campanion )

emergency repairs on a camp chair

One of my friends uses his as a can opener ( I carry a SAK ) although I once used mine on a can of oysters that the ring pull had broken off. Just had to get it started to get the pliers onto it.

making hiking sticks, and stipping bark off the handle area.

Henri